Jonathan Haggerty’s next outing entails a narrative that goes beyond the pursuit of glory.
The Englishman attempts to defend his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title against #3-ranked contender Felipe Lobo in the main event of ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. The spectacle airs live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 16.
Tensions between the two have been simmering for quite some time. It hit fever pitch in the aftermath of Haggerty’s historic win over ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade for the vacant kickboxing crown last year.
Following his formal declaration as the winner, Haggerty approached his opponent’s corner to extend a gesture of sportsmanship.
However, what was intended as a display of goodwill turned into a heated exchange with Lobo, who served as one of Andrade’s cornermen that evening.
“After I beat Andrade, he was in the corner, and I just told him straight, ‘You don’t want it,’” Haggerty said.
Haggerty and Lobo now have the chance to settle their personal differences in the most primal way possible — inside the ring.
“It’s not every day the champion is calling out a top contender. It should be the other way around. I just can’t wait to give him a beating. That’s all,” the two-sport ONE World Champion said.
Despite the animosity, Haggerty acknowledges Lobo as the rightful next challenger.
“Lobo deserves it. There’s respect there in the fighter sense. I just feel like we’re going to jell well. His style is perfect for me. He’s a perfect target for me, and I just can’t wait to throw down with him,” Haggerty said.
